Reps. Good and Cline Call on Governor to Not Expand Taxpayer Funded Abortions

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 -- Rep. Bob Good, R-Virginia, issued the following news release:

U.S Representatives Bob Good (VA-05) and Ben Cline (VA-06) sent a letter to Governor Ralph Northam urging the governor to not sign SB1276, which would end the Commonwealth's prohibition on private health insurance plans that cover elective abortions from the Virginia exchange.

"While the governor may not share my recognition that life begins at conception and should be protected at all stages, surely we can agree that the rights of pro-life taxpayers should continue to be respected," said Congressman Bob Good. "Overturning Virginia's ban on taxpayer-funded abortions would erase the long-standing consensus that hard-earned taxpayer dollars should not fund elective abortions. I urge Governor Northam to not undermine this longstanding bi-partisan safeguard on taxpayer funding."

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Dear Governor Ralph Northam,

We write to you to express our firm opposition to forcing Virginia taxpayers to fund abortions. We urge you not to sign SB 1276, which would end the Commonwealth's prohibition on private health insurance plans that cover elective abortions from the Virginia exchange.

There is longstanding bi-partisan consensus that hard-earned taxpayer money should not fund elective abortion. This tradition has long been codified at both the federal and state level. Congress first enacted the Hyde Amendment in 1976, which prohibits federal dollars from funding elective abortions, along with similar longstanding appropriations statutes. Similarly, the Commonwealth of Virginia has not permitted health insurances plans that cover abortion from being purchased on its state regulated healthcare exchanges. These important protections at the federal and state level transcend the abortion debate, as they protect the conscience rights of taxpayers who do not want to be compelled to fund procedures that they find morally objectionable.

As President Biden once explained, "Those of us who are opposed to abortions should not be compelled to pay for them." While President Biden has wavered on his commitment to this timeless principle, we urge you not to sign any bill that would undermine this longstanding bi-partisan safeguard on taxpayer funding.